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With the dispute over Alaska's Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley) now over, legislators can turn their attention to another mountain nomenclature debate. South Dakota's Harney Peak is named for Gen. William S. Harney, an Army general who was "one of the best-known military figures in America" in the 1800s, according to his biography. But the Lakota Indians hold him responsible for killing dozens of their people, including women and children, in the Battle of Ash Hollow. They've asked the federal Board on Geographic Names to weigh in, but there is no consensus on what the mountain should be called.

Some suggested the mountain be named for Sioux medicine man Black Elk, others suggested Thunder Mountain, and the South Dakota Board on Geographic Names (which gives its recommendations to the federal board) chose “Hinhan Kaga (Making of Owls)," according to USA Today. But that name wasn't received well, and the state board ultimately recommended the original, controversial name stay put. "It’s not an easy black-and-white answer," explained the chairwoman. "Does it offend me? No, but I'm not of that culture. Does it offend people that I know? Yes." Two state Cabinet secretaries oppose any name change, citing the cost of changing signs and maps, plus a potential tourism drop due to confusion. A decision from the federal board is expected next year.

THIS is what our government is focusing their attention on? With everything going on in the country?! They need to spend their time AND OUR MONEY on things that matter! Like pollution: "It's in our backyard... it's in our front yard. Pollution and contamination are shortening all life. We're going to have to unite as a people and say 'no more'! We, the people, are going to have to put our thoughts together to save our planet here. We only have one water... one air... one Mother Earth." - Corbin Harney

Reluctant Patriot

Sep 21, 2015 6:45 PM CDT

Just name it "Two Dogs F**king Peak". It's very Native American sounding, and I'm reasonably sure that at one time or another since the beginning, two dogs have done it there.